Westworldshowrunners answer our burning questions about the fourth episode of the season, Dissonance Theory.
So its unclear when this scene took place.
Is this a flashback?
Credit: John P. Johnson/HBO
Or is she referring specifically to what just happened at the end of episode 3?
Jonathan Nolan: I think thats up to the viewer to decide.
Nolan: I think you want to assume as little as possible when watching this show.
Lisa Joy: As usual, its exciting to talk to you and also difficult.
Nolan: Part of the fun is people speculating about what theyre are seeing.
Theres some amazing speculation out there.
There are some theories that are so elaborate and beautiful that you wish you thought of them yourself.
Im a big believer in this ever since we went to the Venice Film Festival withMemento.
My brother gave an interview about what he thought the film meant but stressed it was ambiguous.
And there are some things inWestworldthat are intentionally ambiguous.
For him, hes looking at this as just a game and hes an expert-level gamer.
We just wanted to get into the fun of it.
Joy: Thats exactly right.
Last week we talked about Stubbs.
Joy: I love Elsie.
The hosts are living this myopic life so they dont question the nature of their reality.
Then you have people like Bernard whos so obsessed with his work that he has his own myopia.
But Elsie is a bit of a pragmatist.
Why dont you see whats right in front of your face?
Shannon is also a lovely actor and great collaborator.
What would you like to share with us about making that scene?
Theres an extraordinary power there.
Here, were reminded that you underestimate this guy at your peril.
He has his own designs of what he wants this place to be.
Youre also reminded he has an extremely controlling relationship with the hosts.
Youre reminded that Ford is not a friend to the hosts.
Hes a father figure and that can go a number of different ways.
But the snake could see him while all the hosts in the field working below could not.
Is there any insight that you care to lend on how that works?
Nolan: He describes himself as a magician.
His mechanisms of control are subtle.
Hes had 30-plus years to gain his level of control.
For more significant updates they need to be brought down below.
Are there any other hints we should be paying attention to?
The short story itself was focused on the asylum portion of the protagonists storyline.
The film references that in flashback.
The story was most interested in how would you even get going if youre not allowed to remember anything.
How would you create a primitive memory?
Random question: Is Logans name inspired by another 70s sci-fi cult favorite,Logans Run?
Nolan: Theres potentially a tip of the hat there.
Its a cool movie.
But I wouldnt read too much into it.
READ MORE:Heres our deep-dive recap on Dissonance Theory
